Tattoos and The Skin

For the past several months I have been debating whether or not I should get another tattoo. And after reading the title of the article "The Claim: Tattoos Can Increases the Risk of Skin Cancer", I knew immediately I would, not until I read the article. In the article it was said that tattoos may lead to skin cancer because the ink consists of the metals cobalt, aluminum, and mercury sulfide. However, Dr. Ariel Ostad who specializes in Dermatology says the reports are not true. Because the skin consists of cells called macrophages, whose job is to absorb foreign objects, no harm will take place. Although, these reports are said to be false, I do believe that the topic of tattoos and skin cancer will be brought up again in the near future. Someone is going to want to conduct a study so they can have there own results and it is going to be a forever going cycle until the issue is concluded. But in the mean time I guess I can go get my two last and final tattoos. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/05/health/05real.html?ref=health

Act of Courage

In the NYT's I read the article about the lady who receieved the first face transplant and found it very inspring. The article is entitled "Recipent of Face Transplant Shares Her Story and Results", and it shows the before and after pictures of Connie Culps face. In 2004, her husband Thomas shot her in the face and caused major damage. Ms. Culps nose, cheeks, roof of mouth, and one eyelid was destroyed. However, there was hope with the help of a donor and Cleveland Clinic; she now has all facial features. This exeperinece shows how much health methods and technology are forever growing. To be able to take and use successfully the face of someones else combined with your own nervous system is remarkable. Now as of a result Ms. Culp can live a happy and hopefully healthy normal life. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/science/06face.html?ref=health

Hydroxycut

Some time last week I saw on the news the concerns and recall of Hydroxycut. It was reported that the use of Hydroxycut caused a young man to die due to liver damage. After that news report I have not heard anymore reports, and as a result I searched the Internet for more information. The young man who died in 2007 was 19 years old after using Hydroxycut. However, it was not reported to the FDA until March of 2009. As many as 23 negative reports have been made due to use of this product. Hydroxycut is said to believe to cause jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, kidney failure due to muscle damage, and a possible liver transplant just to name a few. 14 products of Hydroxycut have been recalled with the exception of the Hydroxycut Cleanse and Hoodia. These other 14 products contained Ephedra which is illegal in the United States because of the many possible health issues and/damage it can cause. One negative reaction caused by the use of Ephedra is a rapid heart rate which can cause serious damage to anyone if used poorly. Hydroxycut is taken to help loss weight by curbing ones appetite and is said to work if used with consistent exercise and a low calorie diet, however physical fitness doesn't really matter if there is a chance you can have failed health as a result. http://www.dietsinreview.com/diets/hydroxycut

Beauty

The article I read in the NYT was entitled "The Beauty of Chicken Cutlets". In this article it was brought to readers attention that pageant officials paid for Miss California Carrie Prejean, breast implants. I found this information rather odd, because when I think of Miss America or any beauty contestant natural beauty comes to mind. Of course with the exception of makeup I don't think "unnatural" precautions should take place in order to give anyone a chance to win a title. I am all for plastic surgery, however when you hear of people going through procedures to become Miss America then there is a problem. I know people may try to change their bodies to become a model but to me a pageant is something different. That just goes to show you the things people are willing to go through in order to have the "perfect" body and/or image. Also, the title "The Beauty Chicken Cutlets", came from when a pageant contestants would wear silicone bras to enhance their cleavage. And the term chicken cutlet came about because they looked like boneless chicken. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/the-beauty-of-chicken-cutlets/

Puberty

I read an article in the NYT entitled, "Earlier Puberty in European Girls", and found it very interesting. In this particular article, the various ways children are developing as well as the rate in which they are developing are being discussed. It was said, that as time goes on more and more young girls are developing breast at an earlier age. As as result, many are becoming worrisome. Europeans believe that if a young person develop breast at an early age she may be at risk for breast cancer later on in her adult life. They also believe that it may have a negative impact on ones social behavior (alcohol, drug use, and unprotected sex).
When reading this article I found it very interesting because my coworkers and I were discussing early puberty the other day. One of my coworkers was saying that she believes her nine year old daughter menstrual cycle was soon to begin and the various ways she was trying to prepare her. And when reading this article I found that it was asking the question what should they do?, while I was thinking well what could you do?, but teach them the right precautions and ways to care for themselves. I just think Europeans way of thinking is different from ours in a sense. I'm like yes they are starting puberty and it's nothing you can do to prevent it, but teach them the proper way to care for themselves. Also, I found the many comments they received regarding this topic very interesting. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/earlier-puberty-in-european-girls/

Swine Flu

I read various articles in the NYT over the past two days regarding the swine flu. Several States are now suffering from this issue that has originated from Mexico. There are over 1600 cases reported in Mexico and CDC representatives believe those numbers are soon to grow. Texas, California, Europe, Canada, New York, Kansas, Ohio, and four reported cases in New Jersey has been established thus far. The swine flu is a combined strain of the bird flu, human flu, and pig flu and is having a negative effect on many people worldwide. As of today, the first human death in the United States has been reported due to the swine flu. A 23-month old baby girl from Texas has died as a result. I first heard of the swine flu Saturday night when it was brought to my attention by my mother. Of course that entire week I was filling under the weather and my mother believed I should go to the doctors because I too may be suffering from this virus. I assume, like many others, it isn't going to affect me. However, people should still be cautious because you just never know. People worldwide are coming together to try to prevent anymore cases, so much so that they are scanning people when leaving Mexico, and if those who were to fly into Mexico decide against it travel agencies aren't charging any additional fees to do so. Lets just see how long this "scare" is going to continue. http://www.nytimes.com/pages/health/index.html

Drug Enhancers

When looking at the Times website, I found one article very interesting. The article is entitled "Boosting Brain Stamina With Drugs." In this particular article, the drugs Adderall and Ritalin are being discussed because they are now known to be "cognitive enhancers". In this article a young man we will call Alex is taking the drug Adderall to assist him with his studies. Because Alex is a college student, works, and loves to hang out with his friends he thought that this particular drug would help him focus when it came time to write his many college papers. The drug Adderall didn't necessary help him write a better paper, it just allowed him to focus more on the task . If giving the opportunity to take this drug if I felt it was really needed I might do so. Depending of the various side effects of taking this drug I believe it could be very useful.http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/

Bed Bugs

The article "Keeping Those Bed Bugs From Biting", was very informing. I did not know the various reactions that can occur if bitten by a bed bug. If bitten some can experience asthma, hives, and a allergy reaction which can cause medical treatment. I know some people are oblivious to their being and this article provides useful information concerning what they are and how to get rid of them. For example, last summer my boyfriend had the "pleasure" of being bitten by several bed bugs that nested in his home without his knowledge. And after finding out what was causing the many bit marks he trashed his entire bedroom set. He couldn't understand how and where these bugs came from beings though he considers himself a neat freak. But this articles goes to show that no matter where you live bed bugs can nest in the most expensive homes and hotels. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/14/health/14brod.html?_r

Chemo 4/1

Cancer for anyone could be a devastating thing. Especially if statistically you have a 1 to 2 year survival rate. But what if a team of medical doctors came along and gave you hope? What if the tumors on your liver could shrink drastically if giving a new treatment? What if your life could be prolonged? That is what Bill Darker was told in the article, "Massive Chemo Dose Targets Cancerous Liver". After being cured of ocular melanoma (cancer that occurs in various parts of the eye), Bill in now suffering from liver cancer. He is undergoing experimental treatment for his liver cancer, in which the drug melphalan is being dripped directly onto the cancerous spots. He is on a dosage that is considered 10 times higher than the normal patient. As a result, his tumors have shrunk approximately by a third. Although, this treatment isn't widely available to all cancer patients, it is a stepping stone. If this treatment is really effective, it will give hope to other individuals who is suffering from liver cancer. It also shows the progress we are making in order to improve, cure, and treat cancer.

"Older Fathers Linked to Lower I.Q. Scores"

I use to assume, the older the father, the smarter the child. However, I was wrong. The article "Older Fathers Linked to Lower I.Q. Scores", was very interesting and informing. The article informs us that after a study was completed on 8 month old, 4 year old, and 7 year old it was shown that children who are father by older men has a lower I.Q. and an other cognitive measures, when compared to children who are father by younger men. In contrast, children that are conceived by older mothers perform higher on cognitive measures, when compared to children who are born to younger mothers.
I found both the male and female aspect of this study very interesting. One would think because a baby is born to an older man they would be smarter for various reasons. For instances, one reason is maturity. I know maturity doesn't play a major role, if any at all when concerning I.Q. levels or genes, but one would assume because an individual has more experience they would teach their child more or have them participate in many different academic extra activities to help build their children's I.Q. And as far as older women is concerned I think their child may score higher on an I.Q. test because they may value the importance of their children's educations more, when compared to someone who is younger. I'm not saying that younger mothers don't value or care about their child's education, I just believe it may not be as important to them. Every mother wants their child to be smart but it's a question of what are you going to do academically in order to help them get where they should be or where you want them to be academically. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/10/health/10dads.html??

Day of School

When first giving the assignment to listen in on another class I didn't like the idea, especially since I don't get off of work until two-forty and all the presentations after three wasn't anything of interest to me. However, when going to see the actually presentations some were very interesting. The three presentations I went to were entitled, "Screencasting as a Resource for Quantitatively Based Courses", "Preliminary Assessment of the Cyberbully and Cyberstalking Experiences of College Students", and The Degree U need to Achieve-Can an Hour Change Your Life".
I thought the Screencasting presentation was the most interesting. This presentation was about Cantasia Studio, which allows a browser to download or make records of material for their class to help benefit students as a whole. It can be good for power point presentations, business courses, and it can also give you a better understanding how to become more advance in excel functions. Many use screencasting as additional help within their classes, such as with homework, or missed lectures. If giving the opportunity I would use take advantage of screencasting because it seems as if it would be really useful.
The Cyberbully presentation was mostly about cyberbullying and stalking. They discussed the various ways someone is stalked, and the difference between the two. When someone is cyberbullied they may commit suicide, and are the ones who are affected through emails or text messages. Cyberstalking has an 2% homicide rate and are the ones who are being followed or watched in various ways.
(First two presentations by Ellen M. Kraft)
The last presentation was more useful knowledge. In there they discussed the various resources available to you to help obtain your degree. I also learned that throughout the entire semester they offer information sessions that help students who are unsure about what they want to do, the many different courses, or just general knowledge about Stockton College.

NYTIMES 3/5

The article I read in the NY Times was entitled "Customized Embryos, Struggling Hospitals and Questions on Health Reforms". The article was about a fertility doctor named Jeff Steinberg, who in coming months will allow soon to be parents to choose what eye, hair, and skin color they want their child to be. Dr. Steinberg has two fertility offices, one in New York City and the other in Los Angeles where he already allows parents to choose the sex of their baby. After reading this article I asked myself if giving the opportunity would I choose what physically features my child has and as of right now no. One main reason is that when going through this procedure several eggs are taking out and examined to see which would have the greatest odds of giving you what you want, and the ones that has the least odds are destroyed or not use, shall I say. Now what if that child don't come out to look the way they thought it would? Would the child still be loved? Or considered a disappointment! Every parent wants their child to look a certain way, whether they have their dads eyes, moms nose, or grandma's smile, but what about just letting mother nature run it's course? One positive thing about the entire situation is our every growing technology. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/health/03rounds.html??

John Pryor: Part 2

To also see the major impact he had on individual lives is a blessing within itself!

John Pryor

Wow!!!! What a wonderful individual! I remember when we discussed him in class a little (about his determination to become a medical doctor), but eventually forgot about him. But after reading these three articles John Pryor, will be embedded in my memory forever. Theses articles caused me to reflect back on my senior year in high school. I decided I was going to join the marines, no one could tell me nothing. That entire school year I met with recruits, was signed out of school early at least once a week, and took the placement test to see what job I was eligible for. Recruits would come to my job and home to eat lunch or dinner with my family. Eventually, I was talked out of it by family members, mainly my mother because she was in the army for several years and didn't think I was built to join the marines, let alone in 2005 with them sending soldiers over to Iraq. As much as I would have fought for this county, I am glad I was talked out of it. John Pryor, seemed as if he had a heart of gold. It's one thing to work in the medical field and try to save lives, but then to also join the military to help serve is wonderful thing. Often medical doctors detach themselves emotional from their patients when something goes wrong or even if they are faced with death, but he showed that he was human by doing the complete opposite. It had to be extremely hard for him to work on injured soldiers day in and day out and not allow it to effect his life daily. And to know that this was a job that could and/or would eventually take his life and do it whole heartily with passion leaves no other words to describe his character but as a WONDERFUL MAN!

Daniel Johnson

Daniel Johnson, was one interesting but strange character. I couldn't understand why he is was liked by many musically. I personally didn't care to much for his choice of songs or the sound of his voice. One thing I did like about him was his free spirit and drive. He was determined to let his music be heard even if he had to gave it out for free. As the more I think about it, he didn't seem like the type to want to be rich and famous, but instead just heard. As I watched him on the clip when he was performing on MTV, I thought he was going to have a anxiety attack. He didn't look comfortable or in his element, but still seemed to love what is was doing. That's what makes him very interesting.

The Last Lecture

After reading and watching Randy Pausch's, Last Lecture I thought WOW! Here is this guy who is giving a death sentence but doesn't allow the circumstances of his situation to alter his lifestyle. It made me think of my father and the things he continued to do upon his death. He wasn't a professor and didn't make a video clip for his kids , but like Randy Pausch he lived his life and countined to do the everything he could physically until he couldn't do it anymore. I call not allowing a death sentence to alter ones lifestyle determination. Randy was determined to do this last lecture so when his kids grow up they could create their own memories of him and decide what type a person he was for themselves, instead of by world of mouth. What a wonderful way to "go out", and be rememdered!

2/25 Post

The article "After a Devastating Birth Injury, Hope", was sad but also very intriguing. The article discusses the negative effects young women in Dodama, Tanzania encounter after giving birth. Many of these ladies suffer several health issues; such as nerve damage in the legs, rectum issues, and/or death, but the most common one is called fistula. Fistula is a hole that allows urine to leave the body through the vagina, and is caused by obstructed labor. Obstructed labor can be caused by several things, such as malnutrition, height, slight frames and/or narrow hips just to name a few. As a result, when these women in Dodama goes into labor it sometimes last three days, resulting in a babies death, and a mothers health issues. Due to the lack of resources and medical staff over 2 million woman and girls in the Sub-Saharan and Asia area are effected by fistula. Because Dodama, is considered one of the worlds most poorest countries, medical teams are sent there to perform operations on these young women to help restore their "life".
I found this article to be very depressing, but also informative. I was oblivious to these problems woman in Dodama, Tanzania face. I am very happy that they have a medical staff whose willing to perform these operations, but at the the same time astonished at the environmental conditions in which they have to be performed in. 2 to an operating room, a mouses running on the wall, and in "sweltering heat"!http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/health/24hospital.html?scp=2&sq=February+24+2009&st=nyt

2/18 NYTIMES Post

The NYTIMES article I read is entitled "For Uninsured Young Adults, Do-It-Yourself Health Care". This particular article discusses the many problems and solutions young adults have to face due to their lack of health care. Young Adults make up the largest population of uninsured people. Many young adults don't have health care due to a lack of a job, and because many jobs don't offer health care. If you're not working, going to school, or not covered under your parents plan you will be effected not only physically if you get sick but also financially. A lot of young adults lack not only the resoucres for health care coverage, but also the knowledge. For example, I am twenty-one years old, and at this point in my life when I go out to look for a job I don't only check to see if it pays well, but also what health coverage they have?, how much is it going to cover?, and how many years would I have to work there in order to receieve full health coverage if I want to retire? I mean there is other resources out there such as Medicade. But, if you don't have that what do you do in the mean time? A lot of times medication are being pass on from person to person. I am guilty of that myself. At the present moment my boyfriend doesn't have health care so whenever he gets sick I will give him something I was prescribed. I know it isn't right, but what else would you do?

2/4 NYTIMES POST

The article "Children Who Take Vitamins Often Don't Need Them", was very interesting. This article came about after researchers concluded that children who needs vitamins don't take them, but the children who takes them don't necessarily need them. A study was conducted on children between the ages 2-17 starting in 1999 and ending in 2004. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey results was starling to Dr. Ulfat Shaikh, a pediatrician who specializes in nutritional problems. The results showed that kids who came from "upper-income" families didn't need vitamin supplements because they consumed enough fiber, milk, and less cholesterol, while those who came from lower-income families was the complete opposite. My thoughts are all children should take vitamins, whether they're poor or rich. In the article it was said that (paraphrasing) money was the reason why poor kids wasn't taking vitamins, and I have to disagree. Although, I believe of course money can have an effect, I also believe it has to do with ones own knowledge and/or beliefs to what they define as being healthy. Wealthy and poor people definition of being healthy may and more than likely be different. A wealthy person may believe eating the right foods, drinking milk, and taking vitamins are what's going to keep their child healthy, whereas someones whose poor might believe that as long as their child has something to eat and drink everyday they are considered healthy. Overall, vitamins are beneficial for everyone.

NY Times 1/28 Post

The article I read in the NY Times was entitled "7 Babies Then (Surprise) Another For Good Luck)". This articles about a woman who gave birth to what she believed to been seven babies but during delivery another was discovered. The woman who chose not to publicize her name gave birth at Bellflower Medical Center in Southern Calfornia at 23 weeks. In total there was 46 medical staff on board to help assist with the welcoming of 2 girls, 6 boys weighing between 1-4 pounds. It wasn't clear to weather or not virto fertilization had to do with the amount of babies born, however it was said that more than likly it was. Virto fertilization is when multiple implants are inserted into the uterus at once to help a woman conceive. I thought the story was very intriguing thats why I decided to write about it.

Libary Articles

I thought the article "Television Drama and Popular Film as a Medical Narrative", was a good article. This particular article talks about many popular medical shows today and what effects they have on viewers. For example, as an ER viewer, I believe ER causes people to become more aware of their own medical issues. But in some ways it can be consisdered both realistic and "just plan old drama". They do discuss current health issues that go on today which can cause viewers to relate, but that being said sometimes the outcome of the situation whether their recovery was too fast or how they "handle" the situation can cause some viewers to create unrealistic expections concerning their own health.

I thought the article "The Clash of Meaning's Medical Narrative and Biographical Story of Life's End", was a very interesting article. This particular article takes us on a journeyof two elderly people lives and the events that lead up to their death. One person they discussed was a woman named Mrs. B. Mrs B. was an elderly woman who recieved a procedure and died soon after. Following the surgery this once independent woman who would do everything on own her own had to learn "simlple" things again; such as swallowing. As a result, this raised a series of questions concerning when is it the beginging of the end of someones life, and if the end is near should procedures be proformed anyone? My answer to that is no. Speaking from personal experience, as recent as April of 2008, when my father went in to have neck surgery because of an infection "caused" by his liver cancer, and was placed on trach. Of course my family new that eventually he would die because of his cancer but not two months following surgery. If we would have known that he would never get better or had to stay on a trach for the remaining of his life that last procedure wouldn't have been done. I think it is good that physicans are now rasing the question to when is the begining of death because that one thought can determine someone transition from this life to the next.

NYTIMES

The NYTimes article I read is entitled "CheckList Reduces Deaths in Surgery". This article believes that by answering a series of questions before patients are prep for surgery can decrease the number of deaths during and/or after a procedure. Studies showed that by following the use of this checklist, death rates has decreased more than 40%. The checklist consists of simple questions such as Did the doctors introduce themselves to the patient? Has everything been sterlized? Is there enough blood supply if anything was to go wrong? Just to name a few. After reading this article one thought came to mind; Are you serious? One would think that these questions should have been answered years ago before surgery was to begin. My thoughts are if having a checklist of basic questions could have almost a 50% change of your several rate then I wouldn't want to go to those particular doctors in the first place.